This blog describes an AR app design, RAINPALL, aimed to encourage outdoor activities on rainy days. One of the negative impacts of rain is that it has the potential to cause a decrease in step levels (Felber, 2015). I would like to address this issue using my design.
Potential of rain is a broad concept and it involves various aspects. After examining some of the qualities of rain, I decided to focus on rain’s potential to cause changes. Specifically, I examined rain’s negative impact on human behaviours.
Research:
Potential of Rain to Cause Problems I have then looked at the potential problems brought by rain to people. According to a post about phobia related to rain by Wood, Examples of Rain-related Phobias are: - Ombrophobia: fear of rain - Astraphobia: the fear of thunder and lightning - Antlophobia: the fear of flood I have also looked at how rain could influence our daily activities. According to Catherine B. Chan and Daniel A. Ryan (2009), rain makes people of all aged groups less active, and it has a greater negative impact on children. Another research cited by Felber (2015) done by Withings and AccuWeather has proven a decrease in step levels on rainy days. (Fig 8)
Fig 8: In the 2 cities that the data is taken, people tend to take less steps when rain gets heavy
Outcome
As shown by the researches, people tend to be less active on rainy days (Chan and Ryan, 2009). Rain also potentially influences people’s mood (Taylor). Considering these factors, I decide to put my character into a context and practical uses. I then decide to design an AR app, RAINPALL to encourage outdoor activities on rainy days, with consideration of the possible mood swings of people during bad weathers. My character is one of the important parts of the app.
How does RAINPALL Work?
This outdoor game is able to track weather and the location of the player and gives bonus when the player is outside and walking. The player can interact with special characters, or their PAL, when outside and when there is light rain. The game will also suggest places to visit on a rainy day, setting quests for the players to complete and prizes to win.
Details of the gameplay:
Full character design process: https://yiran19990925.wixsite.com/leslyn01/post/azury-a-character-from-my-designed-game-rainpall
Limitations:
This game needs to connect to the Internet and some people may not have access to it.
Some may find this game mode too complicated (find - scan - interact) especially on a rainy day when they have umbrellas and bags in hand. The gameplay may be further simplified so that it is easier to access on a rainy day
Some may have safety concerns as using phones while outside (although the players do not need to look at the screen while walking), this game may become an distraction. Thus this game may be further improved by locking the game while the player is walking.
Other Possibilities:
Developing more characters, skins and prizes to be unlocked by walking and visiting suggested places.
Designing limited time events to attract more players and to retain existing players.
Collaborating with other games for the players to win a joint prize for the collaborated games (Eg. RAINPALL special skin for League of Legends)
Project designed in October 2019
Reference:
Felber, S. (2015) Weather or Not: How Rain and Temperature Impact Activity.Withings [online], Available from: https://blog.withings.com/2015/11/17/ accuweather-activity-data-story/ [Accessed 31 October, 2019]
Chan, C. and Ryan, D. (2009). Assessing the Effects of Weather Conditions on Physical Activity Participation Using Objective Measures. PubMed Central® (PMC) [online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2790098/ [Accessed 31 Oct. 2019].
Taylor, J. (n.d.). Does Weather Affect Your Mood?. WebMD [online]. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/can-rainy-days-really-get-you- down#1 [Accessed 31 Oct. 2019].
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